Micronesian Ba tha'I Yap Shell Currency Strand

This rare strand of Yapese currency is called a Ba tha'I and contains 6 black lip shells ranging from 5" to 6" across. The coconut fiber rope is still intact but there is a small pair of curled cord ends that appear to be part of the unraveled section of the main cord just above the last shell on the strand. The overall length is about 69" from the top of the loop to the bottom of the last shell. One shell has a small hole in it but it does not detract from this scarce Micronesian piece. Recently acquired in a small collection of old Micronesian material. A smaller example can be seen in the book Traditional Money on Yap & Palau by Charles Opitz.